Yu-Han (Eugenia) Chao was born and grew up in Taipei ...

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YU-HAN CHAO

Yu-Han (Eugenia) Chao was born and grew
up in Taipei, Taiwan. She earned a BA from
National Taiwan University and an MFA from
Penn State. She currently lives in northern
California. Her full-length collection, We
Grow Old, was published by Backwaters
Press; Dancing Girl Press, Imaginary Friend
Press, and Boaat Press published her chap-
books. Her website is www.yuhanchao.com.

tab: The Journal of Poetry & Poetics Vol 3. ISSUE 5 11

Taegeuk Il Jang

· Heaven brings rain and light, 18 movements between heaven · Otherwise when you accidentally kick
warmth, so life grows with keon, the and light. No longer stepping out a little 11-year-old boy in the neck and
creative force, from the Yi Jing, Book barbarously, taking up space, the he crumples, cries, hyperventilates and
of Changes. walking stance is introduced, from requires ice and much comforting, you
· Sir, the Sino-Korean numbers one which you can block, punch, and kick will feel so bad you wish you’d kicked
to ten are: il, ee, sam, sa, oh, yuk, chil, on 14 and 16. yourself in the throat instead.
pal, gu, ship, Sir! Buy a stars-and-stripes bag of · You will spend the next few days
· Consider the thicker vinyl padding protective gear and start contact apologizing every chance you have—to
rather than cheap cloth and foam—it sparring. Helmet, mouth guard, chest him, his parents, his sister, in every
might make the difference between a guard, forearm and shin guards, instep medium and manner possible.
minor bruise and bad bruise, a protectors and peek-a-boo gloves. · At least they seemed to enjoy the
god-awful bruise and broken tibia, Practice control. Aim kicks at your card, book and drawing.
though unfortunately it drinks sweat. sparring partner’s chest pad. Block
· No headshots delivered to anyone kicks with your padded arms and
under the age of 12. gloved hands.

Chao tab: The Journal of Poetry & Poetics Vol 3. ISSUE 5 12

BACK KICK

· Not to be confused with a kick to the Dwi Chagi, chucking by dweeb. · This requires a chamber as well, close
back, which is never cool, in or out of Your first time trying, a black belt to the chest, before driving the heel
the dojang. grips and puppets you in a disturbing into the target.
manner by the top of your dobok lest · Step forward for additional momen-
· Overturn and it begins to look like a you overturn. tum. Know how long or short your
side kick. Step, turn, look, chamber, kick. The leg is, what or who you can reach, and
back kick is the strongest kick. Work how high.
· The image of the back kick is that of on targeting. You can break boards · One day you could snap him in half if
a donkey kicking with its hind legs, a and bricks with this—maybe not now, you want.
furry little donkey, using one leg. but one day. · Unless sparring or doing combos,
Beginning in fighting stance, prepare after the kick rewind back to fighting
· The stepping is trickier than you’d to kick with the rear leg. If kicking stance rather than spinning in a circle.
think. Step to the right with the left with right leg, turn right 180 degrees This is not a dance.
foot for a right back kick, step to the to the back, looking at the target over
left the
with the right foot for a left kick. Step right shoulder.
with the front foot.

Chao tab: The Journal of Poetry & Poetics Vol 3. ISSUE 5 13